Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir was unable to prevent the Chennai Super Kings from slipping to a one-run defeat to the Mumbai Indians in Sunday’s Indian Premier League final in Hyderabad, but topped the 2019 tournament’s wicket-takers regardless.
Tahir completed figures of two for 23 in the final to finish with 26 wickets in 17 matches this IPL season, ahead of countryman and Delhi Capitals star Kagiso Rabada’s 25 in 12.
‘I am really grateful to Chennai for giving me an opportunity at this age. I just want to keep going and would like to thank my support staff. It’s sad to lose, but credit to Mumbai and they deserve this victory,’ said the 40-year-old Tahir.
I dedicate this purple cap to all the true fans who supported me which inspired me to do well in every outing .I can humbly say it’s you who won the purple cap and not me.Words are not enough to pass my sincere gratitude to all my brothers and sisters.Humbled #yellove
— Imran Tahir (@ImranTahirSA) May 12, 2019
Tahir will retire from ODI cricket after South Africa’s World Cup campaign, which will start later this month, but will continue to be available for T20I cricket and domestic T20 tournaments around the world.
‘I am pleased to see all this at a late stage in my life. It is the best league and I have been working hard for very long in my life, it isn’t easy to bowl to the Indian and the overseas players. I love the game and I would love to carry on for as long as I can,’ he concluded.
Photo: SPORTZPICS for BCCI
